Downton Abbey Fever!

Downton Abbey Fever!

Huzzah! The new season of "Downton Abbey" is here! Can't wait six more days for a new episode? Don't fret, love, we've got you covered with these delightful books:

THE WORLD OF DOWNTON ABBEY by Jessica Fellowes, foreword by series creator Julian Fellowes
This gorgeous book is a lavish look at the secret history and the behind-the-scenes drama–of “Downton Abbey,” thanks to illustrations and research from the production team, as well as on-set photographs from Seasons 1 and 2.

THE CHRONICLES OF DOWNTON ABBEY by Jessica Fellowes and Matthew Sturgis, foreword by Julian Fellowes
An evocative combination of inside story, history, and behind-the-scenes drama, THE CHRONICLES OF DOWNTON ABBEY examines the motivations, actions and inspirations behind every important member of the Crawley family in Season 3. 

BEHIND THE SCENES AT DOWNTON ABBEY by Emma Rowley, foreword by executive producer Gareth Neame
Straight from the director’s chair, this expertly crafted Season 4 tie-in book features never-before-seen photos from props to wardrobe to on-set locations, as well as in-depth interviews from the actors and the creative team behind the award-winning drama.  

BELOW STAIRS by Margaret Powell
Brilliantly evoking the long-vanished world of masters and servants portrayed in “Downton Abbey” and “Upstairs, Downstairs,” Margaret Powell's classic memoir of her time in service is, “An irresistible inside account of life ‘in service’ and a fascinating document of a vanished time and place.” — Kirkus Reviews

DOWNTRODDEN ABBEY: The Interminable Saga of an Insufferable Family by Gillian Fetlocks
This wickedly funny parody of the beloved show features everyone's favorite characters, including the Crawfish sisters, Brace the valet, and scheming lady's maid “Potatoes” O'Grotten in their battle for the deed to Downtrodden Abbey.

cat loving downton abbey  [...]

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Monday Fun Day! (7/23/2012 Edition)

Monday Fun Day! (7/23/2012 Edition)

Today we're reveling in all of the good news coming from the pages of Library Journal!

- We're delighted to see that the Debut of the Month is SHADOW OF THE ROCK by Thomas Mogford!

"Guns, grit, and torture: this breathtaking debut runs through the shifting sands with aplomb. Mogford’s exotic locales, gorgeous prose, and closing twist make this debut a showstopper." –Library Journal (starred review)

- They offered their affection to an excellent financial guide for women, THE SEVEN PEARLS OF FINANCIAL WIDOM by Carol Pepper and Camilla Webster.

"Written by women for women, this gem of a book presents up-to-date information in a way that’s easy to read and understand. [...] Women are encouraged to start their own business, invest wisely, practice leadership, react with grace, and live well. Women in every phase of life, regardless of their financial status, will find something of interest in this guide to economic success. Men may learn something as well." –Library Journal (starred review)

- And Barbara Hoffert ran an article "Three Downton Abbey Readarounds, Including a new Fay Weldon Novel" and all three are titles from St. Martin's Press!

LIFE BELOW STAIRS by Alison Maloney

"Kent-based Maloney, author of the best-selling THE MUM'S BOOK, offers a detailed look at the servant’s life in early 20th-century England, reporting first-hand anecdotes and drumming up numerous black-and-white illustrations as well."

SERVANTS' HALL by Margaret Powell

"This continuation [of BELOW STAIRS] focuses on Rose, the underparlour maid to the Wardham family at Redlands, who elopes with the family’s only son. Scandal!"

HABITS OF THE HOUSE by Fay Weldon

"First in a trilogy, Weldon’s new work opens in 1899—not the Downton Abbey era but directly before; it’s being marketed as an enticing prequel. Weldon in fact wrote the pilot for Upstairs, Downstairs, for which she won a Writers’ Guild Award."

- Finally, as promised: a picture of Shmackies navigating the journey to North Carolina: 

shmackies [...]

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Downton Abbey Fever Affecting Both Teens & Adults!

Downton Abbey Fever Affecting Both Teens & Adults!

With the second season of Downton Abbey currently airing for us Americans on PBS, I'm sure many of your teen patrons have been looking for a way to extend the experience into their reading lives.

School library Journal offers a list of great books to keep the Downton experience alive between episodes including our tie-in titles, THE WORLD OF DOWNTON ABBEY and BELOW STAIRS. And just for fun, we want to add a deliciously scandalous novel to this fine list: THE AMERICAN HEIRESS

Of THE WORLD OF DOWNTON ABBEY School Library Journal says, 

"Filled with lush photos, interesting facts, and insider perspectives, this volume will captivate YAs who long to linger in the stately halls of Downton Abbey."

See a sample spread here on the blog.

Of BELOW STAIRS School Library Journal says,

"Entertaining and poignant anecdotes (an employer with a fetish for viewing house staff in their curlers or the sad fate of a pregnant under-parlor maid fired for being seduced by her mistress's nephew) and vividly drawn characters are woven into a narrative that skillfully re-creates a moment in time."

See School Library Journal's full list of Downton-esque books here.

And a little something fun for the crafty crowd: Downton Abbey Paper Dolls!

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